KCR trying to distort RTC's image: Ponnala Lakshmaiah

Hanamkonda(Warangal-U): Instead of devising suppressive tactics to weaken the indefinite strike launched by the TSRTC staff, the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao should focus on ending the stalemate, former TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah said.

He demanded the State government to resume talks with the RTC employees so that to find an amicable solution to end the strike. "It's time for the government to release a white paper on the assets and financial status of the RTC. The RTC is one of those institutions that have got good reputation," he said, recalling that RTC had won many a national award for fuel efficiency, occupancy rate, safety etc. Despite this backdrop, surprisingly KCR had found it inefficient, he added.

The government is trying to distort the facts related to the RTC. KCR is trying to portray that RTC is in losses due to its inefficiency, Lakshmaiah said. If the Congress had behaved like the TRS Government's suppressive tactics, Telangana wouldn't have happened.

Moreover, the RTC employees had played a significant role in the fight for separate State, Lakshmaiah said. He added that the Congress had always functioned in a democratic way. The former TPCC chief also found fault with the TRS government for foiling the Opposition and RTC staff's bid to participate in the 'Chalo Tank Bund' protest on Saturday. He criticised the government for going tough on protestors with the help of police.

"KCR's plan is to seize control of the RTC assets worth that runs into crores of rupees. As part of this plan, KCR is hellbent on privatising the RTC," Lakshmaiah alleged, pointing out that the land leased out to TRS leaders in Warangal, Karimnagar and Hyderabad. KCR is looking to benefit his family and party members by privatising the RTC.

The TRS government would soon bite the dust for its misdeeds. The people would teach KCR a fitting lesson, he said. The RTC employees' strike indicates that the KCR government would not last long, he added. DCC President N Rajender Reddy, EV Srinivas Rao and B Srinivasa Rao were among others present.